Folding table



F. D. KNOBLOCK FOLDING TABLE Sept1 17, 1968 5 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Nov. 22, 1966 FIG. I

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ATTORNEYS Sept 17, 1968 v F. D. KNoBLocK 3,401,653

FOLDING TABLE Filed Nov. 22, 1966 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 A A L INVENTOR Fnsoeszlcx D. KNoaLocK Sept 17, 1968 F. D. KNoBLoCK 3,401,653

FOLDING TABLE Filed NOV. 22, 1966 5 Sheets-Sheetl '5 Wi; 4" Q vr)` o /'d l 44 FIG. 9 45 27 I:-

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l lnx/N102 Frzconmcx D. KNoLocK I BY w, fa/d', 'YJ/m ATTORNEYS United States Patent() 3,401,653 FOLDING TABLE Frederick D. Knoblock, 436 Bonnie Brier, Birmingham, Mich. 48009 Filed Nov. 22, 1966, Ser. No. 596,303 Claims. (Cl. 10S- 124) vABS'I'RACI 401? THE DISCLOSURE The folding table disclosed herein comprises a pair of frame members which are movable between an extended position and a position wherein the frame members are substantially dat against one another. One of the frame members has a connecting cross portion at the upper end thereof and means are provided for pivoting a table top to the cross portion. This means includes a pivot member that is mounted for rotation about a fixed pivotal axis perpendicular to the axis of the cross portion of the frame member and means for mounting the table top on the pivot member for swinging movement about an axis forming an angle with the first-mentioned pivotal axis.

This invention relates to folding tables and particularly to folding tables of the type which can be readily folded into flat compact form for storage and which can be readily unfolded and erected without the use of tools.

The present invention is particularly adapted to folding tables of the type disclosed and claimed in the patent of Frederick D. `Knobloch et al. 2,902,325, issued Sept. 1, 1959, and Frederick D. Knoblock 3,108,550, issued Oct. 29, 1963. In such folding tables, there is a foldable base on which a table top or tray is adapted to rest. The base comprises a main frame member and side frame members which are folded into ilat relation with the main frame member and unfolded into table top supporting position.

In the Knoblock et al. Patent 2,902,325, the table top is removable. In Knoblock 3,108,550, the table top is also removably connected but may be stored alongside the main frame member.

The present invention is directed to an improved folding table construction wherein the table top is permanently but movably connected to the main frame member so that it can be moved from an unfolded position wherein it rests upon the side frame members to a folded position wherein it lies substantially flat against the main frame member.

It is a further object of the invention to provide such a construction which is relatively simple and low in cost and requires no maintenance.

In the drawings:

FIG. l is a perspective view of a folding table embodying the invention.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary side elevational View of the folding table shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 3-3 in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view'showing the folded position of the folding table.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary sectional View taken along the line 5-5 in FIG. 1. i

FIG. 6 is a part sectional front elevational view of the table top shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a part sectional exploded view of the portion of the table top.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a modified form of folding table embodying the invention.

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 9-9 in FIG. 8.

3,401,653 Patented sept. 17, 1958 ice FIG. 10 is a side elevational view of the table shown in FIG. 8 with the parts in folded position.

Referring to FIG. 1, the folding table embodying the invention comprises a base 10 and a table top 11. The base 10 comprises a tubular main frame member 12 and tubular side frame members 13. Main frame member 12 comprises substantialy vertical legs 14, the lower ends of which are bent outwardly and forwardly to engage the ground and a connecting cross portion 15. Each side frame member 13 comprises a lower substantially horizontal leg, an upper table top supporting leg 17 and a substantially vertical leg 18 connecting the horizontal legs 16, 17. The vertical legs 18 of each side frame member 13 extend substantially along the legs 14 of the main frame member 12 and are pivotally connected thereto so that the side frame members may be folded inwardly into substantially at relation to one another and to the main frame member 12.

Specifically, the members are pivoted by hinges 19a, 19b comprising blocks of rubber or plastic material that are mounted on the vertical legs 14 by screws 20 and have flexible fingers which snap over the legs 18. The cross portion 15 may have an offset portion 21 so that when the one side frame member 13 is folded inwardly against the main frame member and the second side frame member 13 `is thereafter folded inwardly, it will lie flat against the rst side frame member 13.

As shown in FIG. 2, the table top 11 is connected adjacent its forward edge to the cross portion 15 so that in one position, it is substantially horizontal, blocks 22 thereon having spaced fingers 23 (FIG. 3) are snapped over the upper legs 17 and resilient pads 23 on the legs 14 engage the underside of the table 11 to firmly support the table. In the folded position of the table top shown in FIG. 4, the table top is supported in vertical position adjacent the main frame member 12. The table top is connected by a structure 25 that comprises a pivot member 26. Pivot member 26 is generally T-shaped and includes a first shaft 27 that extends through aligned openings 28, 29 in the cross portion 15 (FIG. 7) and a second shaft 30 integral with first shaft 27 and extending at right angles to the first shaft 27 to form a transverse portion. A screw 31 is threaded into the opening 32 in the lower end of the shaft 27 and is tightened against a washer 33. A tubular spacer 34 is provided between the opening 28 and the transverse shaft 30. In this manner, the pivot member 26 is pivoted to cross portion 25 for rotation about an axis transverse to the axis of the cross portion 15 and intersecting the axis of the cross portion 15.

A pair of tubular members 35 are fastened to the underside of the table. One end 36 of each tubular member is flattened and a screw 37 extends through an opening in the flattened end 36 and is threaded into the table top 11. The other adjacent ends of the tubular members 35 remain open and receive the ends of the transverse shaft 30. In this fashion, the table top is connected to the cross or transverse shaft 30 for swinging movement about the axis of the transverse shaft 30. Since the transverse shaft 30 forms a part of the pivot member 26, the table top 11 can also rotate or revolve about the axis of the shaft 27. The axis of the shaft 27 extends upwardly and outwardly.

By this arrangement, the table top 11 can be swung from the position shown in FIG. 2 upwardly to disconnect the blocks 23 from the side legs 17 and thereafter revolved about the axis of the shaft 27 as shown in broken lines in FIG. 2 and swung downwardly about the axis of the cross shaft 30 to bring it into position wherein it is substantially fiat against the main frame member as shown in FIG. 4.

In the form of the invention shown in FIGS. 8-10 the folding table comprises a frame that is made of U-shaped frame members 40 which comprise a horizontal portion 41 and vertical leg portions 42. Adjacent leg 42 of the frame members 40 are pivoted to one another intermediate their ends so that the frame members are foldable from an expanded position shown in FIG. 8 to a folded or compact position shown in FIG. 10. Table top 43 is hinged to horizontal portion 41 by hinge aS- sembly 44 that is substantially identical to the assembly for pivoting the table 11 in the prior form of the invention shown in FIGS. 1-7 except that instead of utilizing a washer 33 and screw 31, a sheet metal friction nut 45 is forced over the shaft 27. In all other respects to assembly for pivoting the table to the cross portion is the same as described in connection with FIGS. 1-7. The table top 43 also includes a retaining ledge 46 that keeps the table in expanded position by frictionally engaging horizontal portion 41 of one of the frame members.

In the folded position the table is revolved about the axis of the shaft 27 and swung downwardly about the axis of the cross shaft 30 so that it hangs downwardly as viewed in FIG. 10.

It can thus be seen that there has been provided a simple and inexpensive construction whereby the table top may be readily moved from unfolded to a folded condition and back again and wherein the forward end of the table top is always connected to the main frame member.

I claim:

1. A folding table comprising a first frame member,

a second frame member movable between an extended position and a position wherein said second frame member is folded substantially fiat against said first frame member,

said first frame member having a connecting cross portion at the upper end thereof,

a table top,

a pivot member,

means for mounting said pivot member on the cross portion of said first frame member for rotational movement about a fixed pivotal axis generally perpendicular to the axis of the cross portion,

and means for mounting said table top on said pivot member for swinging movement about an axis forming an angle with the first mentioned fixed pivotal axis whereby said table top will extend substantially I horizontally and engage the second frame member when the second frame member is in extended position and said table top may be rotated about the pivotal axis and swung downwardly about the second mentioned axis so that it hangs substantially vertically when the frame member is in folded condition.

2. The folding table set forth in claim 1 wherein said angle which said second mentioned axis makes with the pivotal axis is a right angle.

3. The combination set forth in claim 1 wherein said two axes intersect.

4. The combination set forth in claim 1 wherein each of said frame members is U-shaped and comprises a horizontal portion and substantially vertical leg portions extending from the horizontal portion, the horizontal portion of one of said legs forming said cross portion of the first frame member, said table having means thereon engaging the horizontal portion of the other said leg when said table is expanded.

5. The combination set forth in claim 1 including a friction washer 'retaining the shaft of said pivot member on said cross portion.

6. A folding table comprising a first frame member,

a second frame member movable between an extended position and a position wherein said second frame member is folded substantially fiat against said first frame member,

said first frame member having la connecting cross portion at the upper end thereof,

` *y 1 A a table top, a pivot member, means for mounting said pivot member on the cross portion of said first frame member for rotational movement about a pivotal axis generally perpendicular to the axis of the cross portion, and means for mounting said table top on said pivot member for swinging movement about an axis forming an angle with the first vmentioned pivotal axis whereby said table top will extend substantially horizontally and engage the second frarrel member when the second frame member is in extended position and said table top may be rotated about the pivotal axis and swung downwardly about the second mentioned axis so that it hangs substantially vertically when the frame member is in folded condition,

said pivot member comprising a shaft portion extending through said cross portion,

said pivot member having a transverse portion,

and means for pivoting said table to said transverse portion of said pivot member.

7. The combination'set forth in claim 6 wherein said means for mounting said pivot member on said cross portion comprises an opening in said cross portion through which said shaft portion of said pivot member extends,

and enlarged means on the end of said first mentioned shaft portion of said pivot member.

8. The combination set forth in claim 6 wherein said means for mounting said pivot member on said cross portion comprises an opening in said cross portion through which said shaft portion of said pivot member extends,

and a locking fastener secured over the end of said first mentioned shaft portion of said pivot member.

9. The combination set forth in claim 6 wherein said means for mounting said table top to said transverse portion of said pivot member comprises a pair of tubular members fixed to said table top and having their ends spaced from one another for receiving the ends of said transverse portion.

10. A folding table comprising a main frame member having two substantially vertical leg portions and a connecting cross portion at the top thereof,

two side members, I

each side member having a lower arm for resting horizontally on the floor, an upper arm substantially parallel to the lower arm,

the arms of each side member being connected by vertically extending. portions,

said vertically extending portions -being disposed, re-

spectively, in close proximity to and substantially parallel to the two legs of the main frame member, means pivotally connecting the vertical portions of the side frame members respectively to the two legs of the main frame member so that the side frame members may be moved from an unfolded condition to a folded condition wherein the side frame members are substantially at against the main frame member,

a table top,

a pivot member,

means for mounting said table top on the cross portion of said main frame member for rotational movement about an axis generally perpendicular to the axis of the cross portion,

and means for mounting said table top on said pivot member for swinging movement about an axis forming an angle with the first mentioned pivotal axis whereby said table top will extend substantially horizontally and engage the upper arms of said side frame members when the side frame members are in extended position and said table top may be rotated about the pivotal axis and swung downwardly about the second mentioned axis so that it hangs substantially vertically when the frame members arein folded condition.

11. The folding table set forth in claim 10 wherein said angie which said second mentioned axis makes with the pivotal axis is a right angle.

12. The combination set forth in claim 10 wherein said two axes intersect.

13. The combination set forth in claim 10 wherein said pivot member comprises a shaft portion extending through said cross portion,

said pivot member having a transverse portion,

and means for pivoting said table to said transverse portion of said pivot member.

14. The combination set forth in claim 13 wherein said means for mounting said pivot member on said cross portion comprises an opening in said cross portion through which said shaft portion of said pivot member extends,

a locking member secured over the end of said rst mentioned shaft portion of said pivot member.

15. The combination set forth in claim 13 wherein said means for mounting said table top to said transverse portion of said pivot member comprises a pair of tubular members Xed to said table top and having their ends spaced from one another for receiving the ends of said transverse member.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,079,639 5/1937 Swensson 108--124 2,597,330 5/ 1952 Huddleston 108-45 2,902,325 9/ 1959 Knoblock et al. 3,108,550 10/1963 Knoblock 10S-124 3,217,673 11/ 1965 Knoblock 108--157 3,256,840 6/ 1966 Knoblock 108--124 BOBBY R. GAY, Primary Examiner.

G. O. FINCH, Assistant Examiner. 

